Upgrading a device over a network

ABSTRACT

Upgrading a device over a network includes receiving a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands, identifying a target device on a network using the data, and upgrading the target device using the commands. The script file is downloaded from a network device along with a computer program. The computer program is run to execute the commands and upgrade the device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to upgrading a device over a network.

BACKGROUND

In a network context, an appliance is a network device, such as anelectronic mail (e-mail) station or World Wide Web (Web) terminal, thatexecutes software using a simple operating system to perform specificfunctions. From time-to-time, it may be necessary to upgradeinformation, such as the software or database, in an appliance in orderto improve its functionality or to maintain its compatability with othernetwork upgrades.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is block diagram of a network.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process for upgrading devices on thenetwork.

FIGS. 3 to 6 are screen shots of graphical user interfaces generatedduring the upgrading process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, local network 10 connects client 11 to one or moreappliances 12 and 14. Local network 10 may be a local area network(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or any other type of network. Client11 is also connected to a remote network 15, such as the Internet, whichgives client 11 access to data stored on a server 16.

Client 11 is a computer, such as a personal computer (PC), mainframe andterminal, or the like. As shown in view 17, client 11 contains aprocessor 19, a memory 20, and a storage medium 21. Memory 20 is arandom access memory (RAM) or other storage device. Storage medium 21 isa non-volatile memory, such as a computer hard disk.

Storage medium 21 stores an operating system (OS) 22, such as Microsoft®Windows98® and a Web browser, such as Microsoft® Internet Explorer® orNetscape Navigator®. Processor 19 runs OS 22 and Web browser 24 toaccess data stored on server 16 of remote network 15.

Server 16 is a computer, which includes a processor 25 and storagemedium 26 that are similar to those of client 11 (see view 27). Storagemedium 26 contains computer programs and associated script files (e.g.,computer program 29 and script file 30) for use in updating appliances,such as appliances 12 and/or 14 on local network 10. Script file 30 is atextual file that contains identification data 31, commands 32, andgraphics data 34. Other data may be included in the script file as well.

Identification data 31 identifies a type of appliance that is to beupgraded. For example, the identification data might specify that anIntel® e-mail station is to be upgraded. Commands 32 arecomputer-executable instructions for upgrading software and/or adatabase on the appliance(s) specified by identification data 31. Thecommands are run by corresponding computer program 29 to upgrade theappliance identified by identification data 31. Graphics data 34 definesa graphic representation, such as a bitmap image, of the appliancespecified by the identification data. The graphics data is displayed toa user when computer program 29 is run by client 11 to upgrade anappliance. In some embodiments, graphics data 34 is omitted from scriptfile 30.

Script file 30 is configurable in the sense that identification data 31,commands 32, and graphics data 34 can be changed at will withoutrequiring a change in the corresponding computer program 29 that runsthe script file. This simplifies the upgrade process, since upgrades canbe changed without having to rewrite or recompile the computer program29 that executes the commands.

To upgrade an appliance or set of appliances, a user (not shown) atclient 11 activates Web browser 24 to connect to server 16. Client 11downloads computer program 29 and associated script file 30 forupgrading an appliance. These may be identified, e.g., on a Web sitemaintained by the manufacturer of the appliance or a manufacturer ofsoftware for the appliance. In any case, computer program 29 and scriptfile 30 are downloaded to storage medium 21 (or any other storagelocation) in client 11, as shown in FIG. 1. A process for upgradingappliances from client 11 using computer program 29 and script file 30is described in FIG. 2 below.

As noted above, an appliance may be any type of device that includes adatabase and/or software for use in its operation. Shown in view 36 is ageneral architecture for appliance 12. This architecture may apply forany appliance on local network 10. The architecture includes a processor37 and a memory 39. Memory 39 stores a database 40, software 41, and asystem file 42. Other information that requires upgrading may also bestored; likewise, some of the information shown in FIG. 1 may beomitted. System file 42 includes executable instructions, data andparameters for configuring, initializing, and operating appliance 12.Processor 37 executes software 41 and/or system file 42 and usesdatabase 40 to run appliance 12. Software 41, system file 42 and/ordatabase 40 require periodic upgrades. They are upgraded by client 11,which runs process 45 (FIG. 2) to effect the upgrades.

Process 45 connects to server 16 and downloads (201) computer program 29and associated script file 30 for upgrading a specific type ofappliance. In some embodiments, the script file alone can be downloaded,e.g., if computer program 29 is already on client 11 and has not changedsince it was previously downloaded. Client 11 receives computer program29 and script file 30 and stores them on storage medium 21, as shown inFIG. 1. When program 29 is executed, program 29 and script file 30 areloaded into memory 20. Client 11 executes computer program 29 to performthe remainder of the upgrading process 45.

Process 45 reads (202) identification data 31 and graphics data 34 fromscript file 30 and generates (203) a graphical-user interface based onthat data. An example of a user interface 46 generated by process 45 isshown in FIG. 3. User interface 46 includes information such as the name47 of the appliance being upgraded, the version number 49 of software ofthe upgrade, and an image 50 of the appliance. Name 47 and versionnumber 49 are generated from identification data 31 in script file 30and image 50 is generated from graphics data 34 in script file 30. FIG.4 shows an alternative user interface 51 that was generated usingdifferent graphics data than user interface 46.

In FIG. 3, a user selects upgrade option 52 to upgrade the software,database and/or system file in all appliances of the type identified byuser interface 46. Exit option 54 ends the upgrading process. Process 45receives (204) the user's selection to upgrade the target appliance. Inresponse, process 45 identifies (205) appliance(s) on local network 10that correspond to those specified by identification data 31. To dothis, process 45 issues (206) a query over local network 10 for suchappliances. Appliances on local network 10 receive the query anddetermine whether they match criteria specified in the query, such asthe name, version, or type of appliance that is to be upgraded. One ormore target appliance(s) that match the criteria issue a response overlocal network 10, which process 45 receives (207). The response includesa code or the like identifying the target device as one that matches thecriteria.

Along with the response, a target appliance 12 provides informationabout itself. This information includes the local network address of theappliance. The information may also include the current version numberof the software installed on target appliance 12 and/or any otheravailable identifying information. Process 45 generates another userinterface 55 (FIG. 5) and displays that user interface on client 11.User interface 55 includes the information 56 provided by the targetappliance 12, an option 57 to upgrade the target appliance to a newversion of, e.g., software, and an option 59 to cancel the upgradingprocess.

If the user selects upgrade option 57, process 45 prompts the user forinformation necessary to establish a connection with target appliance12. This information may include, for example, a username and passwordthat enable access to the appliance. Process 45 receives thisinformation and stores (208) it in memory. Process 45 also uses theinformation to establish (209) and maintain connections with targetappliance 12. The connections are an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) andWindows® socket connections that are set up using the network addressprovided by the appliance in response to the query (206). The FTPconnection is used-to transfer files to (or from) the client 11. Thesocket connection is used to send commands to the client 11 or getinformation (such as the current version number) from the appliance 12.

Once the connections have been established, process 45 upgrades (210)the target appliance. Any feature of the target appliance, e.g.,software, system file, database, operational parameters, etc. may beupgraded, depending upon the commands stored in script file 30. Process45 upgrades the target device by executing (211) the commands in thescript file. These commands may include instructions for changingdatabase values 40 on the appliance 12 and/or transferring a new versionof a system file 42 from the client 11 to the appliance 12.

During the upgrading process, user interface 60 (FIG. 6), containingstatus bars 61 and 62, is displayed on client 11. Status bar 61 showsthe progress of the upgrade as a whole and status bar 62 shows theprogress of individual upgrade tasks (i.e., software, system file,database, operational parameters) on appliance 12. Thus, status bar 62changes for each new task that is being upgraded.

During upgrading, it is often necessary to re-boot (212) the targetappliance 12 and to re-establish (213) connections with that appliance.Process 45 reboots target appliance 12 and re-establishes connections(FTP and socket) using the stored information, e.g., the username andpassword. As a result, connection can be re-established automatically,without requiring any additional input from the user at client 11.

Process 45 also keeps track of errors that occur during the upgradingprocess and stores information relating to the upgrading process in alog file 70, e.g., in storage medium 21. For example, the log filecontains information relating to errors in the upgrading process, suchas unexecutable commands and the inability to find a file to send to theappliance.

If multiple devices are upgraded using process 45, the devices may beupgraded serially or in parallel. For serial upgrades, the appliancesmay be upgraded in the order that they respond to the query (206) oraccording to pre-specified criteria, such as an order of priority storedon client 11.

Although a personal computer is shown in FIG. 1, process 45 is notlimited to use with any particular hardware or software configuration;it may find applicability in any computing or processing environment.For example, process 45 can be used with a personal digital assistant(PDA) or other hand-held computer. Process 45 may be implemented inhardware, software, or a combination of the two. For example, process 45may be implemented using logic gates such as NAND and NOR gates,programmable logic such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA),and/or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

Process 45 may be implemented in one or more computer programs executingon programmable computers that each include a processor, a storagemedium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatilememory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and one ormore output devices. Program code may be applied to data entered usingan input device to perform process 45 and to generate outputinformation. The output information may be applied to one or more outputdevices.

Each such program may be implemented in a high level procedural orobject-oriented programming language to communicate with a computersystem. However, the programs can be implemented in assembly or machinelanguage. The language may be a compiled or an interpreted language.

Each computer program may be stored on a storage medium or device (e.g.,CD-ROM, hard disk, or magnetic diskette) that is readable by a generalor special purpose programmable computer for configuring and operatingthe computer when the storage medium or device is read by the computerto perform process 45. Process 45 may also be implemented as acomputer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer program,where, upon execution, instructions in the computer program cause thecomputer to operate in accordance with process 45.

Other embodiments not described herein are also within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1. A method comprising: receiving a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands; identifying a target device on a network using the data; and upgrading the target device using the commands.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein upgrading comprises upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: receiving comprises downloading the script file from a network device along with a computer program; and upgrading comprises running the computer program to execute the commands.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the commands comprise instructions for upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein: the script file contains graphics data; and the method further comprises generating a user interface using the graphics data, the user interface providing information for devices on the network that correspond to the data in the script file, the devices including the target device.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: selecting upgrading for the target device.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying comprises: issuing a query over the network for devices that correspond to the data in the script file; and receiving a response to the query from the target device.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the response comprises a code that identifies the target device as corresponding to the data in the script file.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: establishing a connection with the target device prior to upgrading the device; storing information for establishing the connection; and re-establishing the connection with the target device using the stored information after the device is upgraded.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: maintaining a log file that contains a record of the upgrading process.
 11. An article comprising: a readable medium that stores executable instructions that cause a machine to: receive a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands; identify a target device on a network using the data; and upgrade the target device using the commands.
 12. The article of claim 11, wherein upgrading comprises upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.
 13. The article of claim 11, wherein: receiving comprises downloading the script file from a network device along with a computer program; and upgrading comprises running the computer program to execute the commands.
 14. The article of claim 13, wherein the commands comprise instructions for upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.
 15. The article of claim 13, wherein: the script file contains graphics data; and the article further comprises instructions to generate a user interface using the graphics data, the user interface providing information for devices on the network that correspond to the data in the script file, the devices including the target device.
 16. The article of claim 15, further comprising instructions that cause the machine to: select upgrading for the target device.
 17. The article of claim 11, wherein identifying comprises: issuing a query over the network for devices that correspond to the data in the script file; and receiving a response to the query from the target device.
 18. The article of claim 17, wherein the response comprises a code that identifies the target device as corresponding to the data in the script file.
 19. The article of claim 11, further comprising instructions that cause the machine to: establish a connection with the target device prior to upgrading the device; store information for establishing the connection; and re-establish the connection with the target device using the stored information after the device is upgraded.
 20. The article of claim 11, further comprising instructions that cause the machine to: maintain a log file that contains a record of the upgrading process.
 21. An apparatus comprising: a memory that stores executable instructions; and a processor that executes the instructions to: receive a configurable script file, the script file containing data and commands; identify a target device on a network using the data; and upgrade the target device using the commands.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein upgrading comprises upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: receiving comprises downloading the script file from a network device along with a computer program; and upgrading comprises running the computer program to execute the commands.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the commands comprise instructions for upgrading software and/or a database on the target device.
 25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein: the script file contains graphics data; and the processor executes instructions to generate a user interface using the graphics data, the user interface providing information for devices on the network that correspond to the data in the script file, the devices including the target device.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processor executes instructions to: select upgrading for the target device.
 27. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein identifying comprises: issuing a query over the network for devices that correspond to the data in the script file; and receiving a response to the query from the target device.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the response comprises a code that identifies the target device as corresponding to the data in the script file.
 29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor executes instructions to: establish a connection with the target device prior to upgrading the device; store information for establishing the connection; and re-establish the connection with the target device using the stored information after the device is upgraded.
 30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor executes instructions to: maintain a log file that contains a record of the upgrading process. 